Home › I Ching · 64 hexagrams › Hexagram 4
James Legge, 1899 (public domain)
Mang (indicates that in the case which it presupposes) there will be progress and success. I do not (go and) seek the youthful and inexperienced, but he comes and seeks me. When he shows (the sincerity that marks) the first recourse to divination, I instruct him. If he apply a second and third time, that is troublesome; and I do not instruct the troublesome. There will be advantage in being firm and correct.
Meng — a young shoot, still small and unformed — is the hexagram of ignorance meeting its teacher. The oracle's opening is famous: I do not seek the young fool; the young fool seeks me. Ask a question, and I answer. Ask it twice or more, and I do not answer — the instruction that then appears does not come from me. The lines treat ignorance like a programme: discipline at the start, the shackles struck from the mind; forbearance from the strong man in the centre; chains of ignorance that will bring regret; a simple lad whose inexperience is itself his good fortune; and at the top, one who strikes the ignorant — better to ward off injury than to inflict it.
Line 1
The first line, divided, (has respect to) the dispelling of ignorance. It will be advantageous to use punishment (for that purpose), and to remove the shackles (from the mind). But going on in that way (of punishment) will give occasion for regret.
Line 2
The second line, undivided, (shows its subject) exercising forbearance with the ignorant, in which there will be good fortune; and admitting (even) the goodness of women, which will also be fortunate. (He may be described also as) a son able to (sustain the burden of) his family.
Line 3
The third line, divided, (seems to say) that one should not marry a woman whose emblem it might be, for that, when she sees a man of wealth, she will not keep her person from him, and in no wise will advantage come from her.
Line 4
The fourth line, divided, (shows its subject as if) bound in chains of ignorance. There will be occasion for regret.
Line 5
The fifth line, divided, shows its subject as a simple lad without experience. There will be good fortune.
Line 6
In the topmost line, undivided, we see one smiting the ignorant (youth). But no advantage will come from doing him an injury. Advantage would come from warding off injury from him.